Kontakt Series

7"  

Pop Art

The kontakt series project is a series of seven releases including music by the groups that we love, without necessarily seeking for a generic continuity. It contains some of our most experimental tastes in music ranging from post-rock to experimental electronica. 
Each single will contain one track by an international artists and one track by a greek artist.
Every 7 inch record will be released every two months.
Another special feature of the kontakt series projects is its covers. Every copy will feature a different kontakt photo (format 4 x 6) on its cover. In particular the 365 photos, which have been shot specially for this series, will be exhibited at vinyl microstore (pop art's shop) and anyone interested will pick up his photo of choise which will be placed on the cover of his own unique copy!
The photographers of the 2555 photos for the project are:
Meliti Kontogiorgi, Despina Spyrou, Jristos Boukalas, Vassilis Gonis, John Attwood, Nektarios Pappas

f:22
Artists: kimonophonic / poptraume
Title: The Long Distance Of The Roman Empire [pHyc:3y3!Dee*eM] / Stockmarket people
Format: 7" split single (Heavy Vinyl). Limited edition of 365 copies
Cat No: f:22
Label: Pop Art Records 
Rel. date: 20.05.02
Kimonophonic is the artistic project of the Canadian 22 year old Justin Amstrong. For the last 3 years he has been producing tons of instrumental synth pop, from which a small part has found its way through some of the most interesting independent labels of our times (Emma's House, Jonathon Whiskey, Earworm). Although he is one of the million hometapers around the globe today, what makes him different and unique is the way he transforms the sound of his countless old technology synthesizers into something that seems completely modern and contemporary. Minimalist and melodic at the same time, "The Long Distance Of The Roman Empire [pHyc:3y3!Dee*eM]", Kimonophonic's contribution to the last part of the legendary kontakt series, brings his unique vision of retro-pop-electronica into our minds and ears.
Poptraume is definitely the most talented today's Greek electronica artist. His first single for the up and coming Bios label was voted as the single of the month in Record Collector's September 2001 issue focusing on his ability to combine quirky and playful digital beats with simple and charming melodies. While those two elements are found very often in today's electronica output, the way Poptraume accomplishes it has nothing to do with the all the wannabe Plaids and Aphexes of the world. Just a few months before Poptraume's second single and debut album (on the Bios label too) "Stock Market", the b-side of the kontakt series' 7th and last single, makes for one of the best future pop-electronica track that the greek scene has offered us so far.

f:16
artists: spaceheads / monochrome
titles: fast faenza /air
format:7" split single limited to 365 copies 
cat no: f:16
label: pop art records 
release date:15/04/2002

Kontakt Series' 6th release is the most up-to-date sounding record of all previous releases, from a technological point of view. on the two sides of this 7inch single (which comes with the supersonic catalogue number F16), appear two acts that belong to the electronica genre.
In a fair world, Spaceheads - who have been active since 10 years now -wouldn't need to be introduced. They consist of Andy Diagram and Richard Harrison. The former plays the trumpet and is a well-respected session
musician, as he has played for important British bands such as James or Pale Fountains, and for avant-rock acts such as David Thomas (Pere Ubu) and Nico. The latter is one of the most innovative drummers of Great Britain, as he has been playing for many independant groups, such asBing Selfish And The Ideals, Tool Shed and Homelife (Ninja Tune's new signing). As Spaceheads, they have created a unique combination of sounds, where modern jazz music meets any modern tendency for experiment, coming along with dense, tough rhythmic parts. After four
studio albums and 2 live recordings, 'Fast Faneza' is their first work to be released as a 7inch record. And it fits this format like a glove,as this comes as a perfect chance to savour an example so straightforward and representative of their sound
Greek act Monochrome is the solo project of a restless electro-experimentalist. Antonis Vlastos, the artist who appears on side b of this single, has been making modern electronic music for many years now and he has made a lot of live appearences, enhancing Athens' night with the aura of the biggest european big cities. Monochrome's music is based on techno, but while most techno artists follow closely either the sound of Cologne, Berlin or Detroit, Monochrome keeps his distances as he enriches his music with lush melodies, while leaving a lot to the listener's imagination thanks to his minimal approach of the electronic genre. "Air" is one more proof that Monochrome is the case of what we call a personal vision.


f:11
artists: tank / drog_a_tek 
titles: aurenoir / theme_totalment 
format:7" split single limited to 365 copies 
cat no: f:11 
label: pop art records 
release date:15/01/2002
Tank is the personal music medium of Christophe Mevel, a young fresh fellow from France who has been releasing his music for five years for some of the most influential independent labels of Europe (Earworm, Noise Museum). Although his point of departure is kraut-rock, Christophe does not stay intoned with the heritage of groups like Neu! And Can, but also enriches his music from modern electronic and ambient music, always keeping his melodies as a top priority in his sound. With kontakt series, things were different. This time the driving rhythm, the heave bass and the frenzy sound of the synth produced one of the most important kraut-rock stations of the new millennium.
Drog_a_tek are a flexible music group tha defines itself differently in each of its sessions. It consists of people who experience the reality of Athens, with a common denominator of perceiving music exclusively as a sentiment. This is why the music studies of their members, where they exist, are not a top priority. What comes first is the instant unbending through self-made music instruments such as shaving machines, small tape recorders, portable telephones, children's toys but also accordeon, and samplers that act as means of parallel individual expression and create the pursued result... or the unwanted one.Theme_totalment is a fragment of music psychotherapy of drog_a_tek. It was recorded live without much previous groundwork. It reveals much of the specific time and space of its execution and depictrs a dark and liberating atmosphere, where ambient soundscapes are combined with eartlhy sounds, without explosions... a lush sonic background like a carpet that can some times become magic

f:8
Artists: Ma cherie for painting / Tilbury on cloves
Title:Kermode / Evertry
Format: 7" split single (Heavy Vinyl). Limited edition of 365 copies
Cat No: f:8
Label: Pop Art Records 
Rel. date: 15.12.01
They come from Stutgard Germany and they are one of the leading bands of the out-rock movement of the local scene. They have released three full length albums and mumerous singles for some of the most imporant independent record labels of Europe while they transcend comfortably through post-rock kraut-rock and every other tendency that modern rock has to show us. The sound of Ma Cherie For Painting offers an otherness that is rarely appointed in ther bands of our times None of their records sound sounds like their previous or their next one. Neither Kermode reminds us something of their past. In one of the rare time that they use vocals, they offer us moment where lyricism meet experimentalism in an until now unpresented way, always with the same ambition of repealing the beaten rock formula track.

Tilbury on Cloves have been moving silently for three years in between the music sub-cultures of Athens underground making their sound a combination of equal new wave and shoegazer pop parts. is their first released work for this trio who is working tentatively into the creation of a unique sound that starts from the 80s dark wave era and ends up in totally modern bands such as Hood and Piano Magic. And all this thanks to the brave usage of electronic means which up to the recent days was considered as an anathema of the clarity of pop and rock music.

f:5,6
Artists: Mus / Coti
Title:Dexase Apagar / Crab Promenade
Format: 7" split single (Heavy Vinyl). Limited edition of 365 copies
Cat No: f :5,6
Label: Pop Art Records 
Rel. date: 15.09.01
A new season, a new seven inch release for kontakt series. The third part of the series features two artists that expore the thin (and fine) line between electronica and pop.Bases on strong but simple melodies there two artists are breaking new ground in electronic pop sensualism.
Mus are a Spanish duo featuring vocalist Monica Vacas which shows their mellower side with avant-electronics, soft electric guitars,a soundtrack for a non excisting movie. They have recorded one album and one ep for the eclectic spanish pop label Acuarela and one album for the Bliss out series of Darla records. Sensitive melodies are prevalent in all of their songs. Dexase Apagar is the best and clearest example of this.
Coti is maybe the most famous producer and sound engineer of the greek electrotronic and indie scene. He has recorded two albums for the local independent label Studio II moving into the area of ambient electronic melodies. His latest full length release for Vibrant music gives a new dimention to deep listening, combining gentle ala Morr Music electronica with melodic soundscapes. Crab Apagar is a leftover from the recordings of this album showcasing his popier and more gentle side of his unlimited talents.

f:3,5
Artists: Flowchart / Vel.
Title:Earwax / People need a view master
Format: 7" split single (Heavy Vinyl). Limited edition of 365 copies
Cat No: f:3,5
Label: Pop Art Records 
Rel. date: 10.07.2001
Two months after the release of the split single between Yellow 6 and 2 by Bukowski, kontakt series is back with its second release. This time we went for two clearly electronic acts, that are bound to define what's next in the international and greek electronic scene.Flowchart, from Phioladelphia USA, is the basic music project of this undeniable pothead, Sean O Neal, and for the last six years they have been releasing albums and singles in some of the most important record labels of our times, constantly passing through the sub-genres of modern electronic music. Earwax, was exclusively recorded for kontakt series, and it is a showcase of their most minimal and dark side. . Vel. the duet which was formed in 1997 by Kostas Kokkaris and Spiros Agouras, tend to dress their pop sensibilities with beautiful melodies and euphoric beats. People Need A View Master can only be found in this limited edition single.

f:2,8 (sold out)
Artists: Yellow 6 / 2 by Bukowski
Title: The Room / Meow mix
Format: 7" split single (Heavy Vinyl). Limited edition of 365 copies
Cat No: f:2,8
Label: Pop Art Records 
Rel. date: 28.05.2001
It was meant to happen. These two melodic rock experimentalists were bound to meet. Besides, they have both released seven inch singles for our friend's Jonathon Whiskey label. 
Yellow 6, being most active than ever, have been releasing albums and singles for some of the most interesting independent labels around the globe (Enraptured, Atomic, Ochre) always providing us with melancholic but healthy instrumental atmosperic soundscapes.
After the release of one single, one EP and one album, this greek band from Salonica, 2 by Bukowski, have become one of the most interesting and up & coming bands in Europe. Meow mix is their firrst ever recording,signaling their glorious trip into some of the most intelligent space -rock sounds of our times.
Both contributions are exclusive to this 7 inch record.